Strict Obedience

I knew a man who had triumphed in God
Who’d overcome hurdles to spread the word.
Triumph after triumph, he had no time to stop
For souls were in danger; warning them was his job.

I watched this young man in faith enter Samaria
A token, compared to God’s previous chosen area.
Armoured up and ready, all should have gone well.
And why would it not, he was saving souls from hell?

Unknown to this soldier, God had a different plan
To correct the shortcomings of this wayward young man.
For blinded by his work for God, he could see nothing else;
This fighting fit young soldier needed a lesson in God’s grace.

So walls didn’t fall down, and doors wouldn’t open.
He grumbled and stumbled, as God began to mould him.
And at the end he cried out: ‘Your plan Lord, can’t you see?
Samaria was a disaster, but it was You who abandoned me.’

I’ll speak to him now: ‘CHILD PAY ATTENTION, LISTEN CAREFULLY TO ME.
YOU MUST LEARN TO BE OBEDIENT; THERE IS MUCH THAT YOU CAN’T SEE.’
‘Just wait up stranger! You’re taking a liberty!
I’m God’s child… Even though He turned His back on me.’

‘IS THAT WHAT YOU BELIEVE? WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT FROM?’
‘Well… not the Bible obviously, but look what I’ve become.’
‘DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?’ ‘Yeah wait… I’ll check and let you know.’
‘TOO LATE MY CHILD, I WANTED YOUR TIME A LITTLE WHILE AGO.’

‘But you didn’t give me time! What was I supposed to do?’
‘AND THERE LIES YOUR PROBLEM, BECAUSE NEITHER DID YOU.’
‘Excuse me for asking, stranger, but do I know you?’
‘TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AT ME, THEN YOU WILL KNOW YOU DO.’

The man then knew it was he who’d wasted time; not the Lord.
Due to his zeal for doing the work, he’d failed to wait for God.
More time with God would have saved this; the years that he had lost,
He had eternity to reflect on this; a long time to count the cost.

Today God’s soldier has a better way to make each moment count.
Bathed in the word he wakes each day and makes God His focal point;
During intervals of Spirit led prayer, he listens in godly silence.
With tears of joy he recalls the day God taught him strict obedience.

~

‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength:
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.’
[Isaiah 40:31]
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